To this day, many Floridians remain without health insurance.
A census survey indicates that Florida has one of the highest uninsured populations in the nation. Furthermore, the Miami area ranks in the bottom three metro areas for healthcare coverage.
And according to a new survey in Broward and Palm Beach counties, medical debt now tops the list of ways South Floridians end up on the streets.
In July, Addictions.com surveyed 32 homeless people in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
According to survey results, interviewees overwhelmingly said they'd been financially crippled by hospital bills they couldn't pay or an addiction they couldn't kick on their own.
Broward County's homeless population has grown 6 percent in the past year, according to a report by Miami New Times.
According to the report, many face personal risks by living on the streets — 42 percent said they'd suffered a head injury, while 33 percent said they'd been beaten at one point while homeless.
"Participants from the non-expansion site [Florida] indicated that their patients remain uninsured and are continuing to face significant gaps in care that contribute to poor health outcomes," researchers at the concluded.